Retro Picnic Foodie Dreams

Fancy, schmancy with retro picnic foodie dreams is always the way to go. Can you feel the smile stretch across your face Bella? Being able to stop, get family and friends together to eat finger foods in the park makes me look forward to vacation. So come along with me on our retro picnic foodie dreams and don't forget to bring the music... 

We start off with changing our picnic to a pale colors and fabrics, I mean who said we always have to have red checkered cloths in the park?

The next decision is one of the most important to make...who to invite and lay around on the picnic blanket with? And what if I need help fanning my hair out like this? Who to ask...hmmm who to ask?

In my fantasy picnic invite one of course would go to the incredible Audrey Hepburn. I mean look... she's already dressed for our fashion picnic.

Please bring some S'mores and the blog The Cake Blog has this simple Sweets I Heart:S'mores recipe.

For a more vintage look maybe I can make a quick costume change into this vintage apron. To add some color I can add some red flats or turquoise necklace.

Oh our retro picnic was so much fun today. Did I forget to mention that all picnic men will need to wear a non-baseball hat? A girl can dream can't she? So I'm off to grab some aprons, a picnic basket, a black & white picture of Audrey Hepburn and to make a pitcher of lemonade. What will you bring Bella?

Wishful Wednesday: Calm and Positive

On Wishful Wednesday, I wish to stay calm and positive. I also wish this for you my blogging friends. So much seems to be swirling around me right now due to my loved ones health and jobs. It helps during my gratitude walks, to remind myself that there's so much to be grateful for. I love the above picture for her serene and peaceful look.

This room would make me smile, after I returned from a long day because of the open feeling. What's the favorite room in your house?

Assisting me in staying calm, I would sit on the edge of this pier and breath deeply while watching the sky and water.

I should frame this and keep it in my house. Ah yes Bella, the lovely bubbly would help me too!

The Palace of Fine Arts is THE place in the city that calms me down. When I visit, I feel like I've escaped to Europe because of its columns, architecture and ponds. If you get the chance to visit, remember to bring bread to feed the swans!

No need for words. I could stare at this picture for hours and it would remind me of love and positivity...

This picture was taken at the Japanese TeaGarden in Golden Gate Park. Can you feel your stress melting away? On foot this garden can be hard to find, but trust me so worth it.

I could sit down and stuff my face with these precious desserts for calm. What do you wish for on this Wishful Wednesday?

A Letter to My Younger Self

Dear past me…you can do this, love me. I have been writing in journals since I was 10. Writing always made me feel calmer, was a way to release my feelings and once it was down on paper I could let it go and close the book. There was something special about picking the perfect journal pen, finding the journal that spoke to me and completing the pages. And now I’d like to write a letter to my younger self.

Have you ever thought about what you would say or how tight you would hug yourself or try to show pictures of how your life would turn out? And then I remember, I might not have listened…even to me.

In my twenties, I wanted to figure it out by listening to my own heart and picking the right road. Bella, did you ever just jump in? I was cautious, caring and tried to lean on others for their experiences. Probably because I lost my mother at a young age. Which made me grow up really quickly AND have to find a different circle to bounce ideas off of. Because your Mother, no matter the relationship, is your person that guides you.

I was always looking to fill that huge hole left. Sometimes I got it right and other times wrong.

Which is why the advice I would give to my younger self is... Trust Yourself. Trust that the ups and the downs are a part of learning & growing. That not everyone you meet will become family and stay in your life, BUT you can learn from them and give back.

If you decide to leap off the cliff (I did by moving to San Francisco without knowing anyone at all) it will eventually be OK. Not without blood, sweat and tears, but without that it can’t pay off in a glorious way that you never saw coming. And that’s the point…you can never see the end of the tunnel because you aren’t in control of it.

Follow your heart as one day a little one will be following your every move.

Positive thinking, love and hard work is the only way to move through that tunnel. So, younger self take a deep breath, it will all be OK and different then the worries that are keeping up at night. Listen to your inner voice, surround yourself with amazing people and smile Bella. And one more thing... Ahi Poke is amazing, addictive and can be found in so many countries!